Update:
The University of Texas gave a written statement responding to the news one of their coaches is charged in the country’s largest college acceptance scandal. After some internal work, they say there was only one incident dating back to 2015, and only involved one coach, no other staff were involved.
Below is their statement:
“Integrity in admissions is vital to the academic and ethical standards of our university. The University of Texas at Austin is cooperating with federal investigators and is concerned by the allegations raised, which run counter to the university’s values. Men’s Tennis Coach Michael Center was placed on leave as soon as we learned of the charges against him, which are being fully investigated. We are continuing to gather information and review our processes. Based on what we know at present, we believe this was an isolated incident in 2015 that involved one coach and no other university employees or officers.”
A UT tennis coach was arrested by FBI agents in a nationwide college acceptance scam sting.
Coach Michael Center has been put on Administrative leave by the University. US Attorney Andrew Lelling said coaches would work with a man at the center of the nation wide scandal, William Singer, to get kids into college who didn’t make the grade.
Lelling alleges Singer would give coaches false athletic profiles of students so they could convince colleges to recruit the kids to the team, the coaches would then pocket a bribe. Government officials claim Singer took in about $25 million from the scheme from 2011 and 2019.
FBI agent Joe Bonavolonta said rich and famous parents used their wealth to bribe their kids’ way into college, through Singer.
“The FBI uncovered what we believe is a rigged system. Robbing students all over the country of their right at a fair shot, to getting into some of the most elite universities in this country, such as Yale, Stanford and Georgetown.” Said Bonavolonta.
Actresses Felicity Huffman and Lori Loughlin were also taken into custody as part of the sting.
(Photo:Shutterstock/F11photo)
